Robert Townsend
Robert Townsend (born February 6, 1957) is an American actor, director, comedian, and writer. Townsend is best known for directing the films Hollywood Shuffle (1987), Eddie Murphy Raw (1987), The Meteor Man (1993), The Five Heartbeats (1991) and various other films and stand-up specials. He is especially known for his eponymous self-titled character, Robert Peterson as the starring role as on The WB sitcom The Parent 'Hood (1995–1999), a series which he created and of which directed select episodes. Townsend is also known for his role as Donald "Duck" Matthews in his 1991 film The Five Heartbeats. He later wrote, directed and produced Making The Five Heartbeats (2018), a documentary film about the production process and behind the scenes insight into creating the film. Townsend is also known for his production company Townsend Entertainment which has produced films Playin' for Love, In the Hive and more. During the 1980s and early–1990s, Townsend gained national exposure through his stand-up comedy routines and appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Townsend has worked with talent including Halle Berry, Morgan Freeman, Chris Tucker, Beyoncé, Denzel Washington and many more.
62 acting credits · 37 directing credits
Acting · 62
M*A*S*H
1972
The Bear
2022
Hollywood Squares
1998
Amazing Stories
1985
Black Lightning
2018
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child
1995
The Parent 'Hood
1995
Before
2024
The Warriors
1979
Streets of Fire
1984
Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!
2026
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka
1988
Undercover Brother
2002
The Meteor Man
1993
Black in the 80s
2005
The Carol Burnett Show
1991
Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire
2012
Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
2009
A Soldier's Story
1984
The Mighty Quinn
1989
American Flyers
1985
The Five Heartbeats
1991
Mahogany
1975
Cooley High
1975
Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs
2002
Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute
1988
Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!
2003
Ratboy
1986
Great Drives
1996
Hollywood Shuffle
1987
Up, Up, and Away
2000
That's Adequate
1989
Motown Live
1998
Jackie's Back!
1999
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2
1988
Taxman
1999
Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light
2000
The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder
1994
Senior Trip
1981
In Love with an Older Woman
1982
Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me
1986
Willie & Phil
1980
The Monkey Hustle
1976
Women at West Point
1979
Odd Jobs
1986
I Was a Teenage Faust
2002
Of Boys and Men
2008
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4
1989
Playin' for Love
2015
Joseph's Gift
1999
The 51st AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie Murphy
2026
Directors on Directing
2009
Mercenary II: Thick & Thin
1999
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1
1987
Black Listed
2003
Uptown Comedy Express
1987
Love Songs
1999
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3
1989
A Walk with Charles Burnett
2019
Stuart Hall: Representation & the Media
1997
Robin Harris: One Night Stand
1990
Tao of The Golden Mask
2007
Directing · 37
Black Lightning
2018
Power Book IV: Force
2022
The Parent 'Hood
1995
The Wonder Years
2021
South of Nowhere
2005
Kaleidoscope
2023
Poppa's House
2024
Colin in Black and White
2021
The Meteor Man
1993
B.A.P.S
1997
Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
2009
Holiday Heart
2000
Eddie Murphy Raw
1987
Love Is___
2018
The Five Heartbeats
1991
Hollywood Shuffle
1987
Up, Up, and Away
2000
Jackie's Back!
1999
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2
1988
Little Richard
2000
Phantom Punch
2008
10,000 Black Men Named George
2002
Carmen: A Hip Hopera
2001
Livin' for Love: The Natalie Cole Story
2000
In the Hive
2012
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4
1989
Playin' for Love
2015
Ms. Pat: Y'all Wanna Hear Something Crazy?
2022
Diary of a Single Mom
2009
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1
1987
Black Listed
2003
Love Songs
1999
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3
1989
Bill Cosby: Far From Finished
2013
A Walk with Charles Burnett
2019
Making The Five Heartbeats
2018
From Behind Closed Doors
1999